Construction toy

ABSTRACT

A construction toy preferably packaged in kit form comprising a plurality of intersection elements and a plurality of elongate flexible resilient strut elements; said intersection elements are envelopes of substantially polygonal configuration, the sides of said envelopes being concavely curved. The peaks or ends are blunt, openings being provided at said ends to permit introduction of the strut elements within the interior of said intersection elements. The intersection elements are formed of a pair of like, superposed planar plastic portions sealingly secured along their edges but for the blunt ends. The strut elements may be elongate plastic rods having tapered ends. The struts may be of uniform dimension or the kit may include groups of different length struts. The struts are introduced into the passageways and follow the interior curvature of the intersection elements or some may simply abut the inner wall of the intersection element opposite the point of entry. The intersection and strut elements are connected, ones to the others to form a spatial array or latticework formations of many and varied geometric configurations. Each end may receive a plurality of struts.

United States Patent [191 Auerbach Mar. 12, 1974 CONSTRUCTION TOY [75]Inventor: Robert S. Auerbach, Chicago, ill.

[73] Assignee: Master-Evans, Inc., Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Nov. 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 305,425

[52] US. Cl. 46/29 [51] Int. Cl A63h 33/10 [58] Field of Search 46/29;35/16, 18 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,658,776ll/l953 Wilcox 46/29 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene AssistantExaminer-J. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or FirmSilverman & Cass [57]ABSTRACT A construction toy preferably packaged in kit form comprising aplurality of intersection elements and a plurality of elongate flexibleresilient strut elements; said intersection elements are envelopes ofsubstantially polygonal configuration, the sides of said envelopes beingconcavely curved. The peaks or ends are blunt, openings being providedat said ends to permit introduction of the strut elements within theinterior of said intersection elements. The intersection elements areformed of a pair of like, superposed planar plastic portions sealinglysecured along their edges but for the blunt ends. The strut elements maybe elongate plastic rods having tapered ends. The struts may be ofuniform dimension or the kit may include groups of different lengthstruts. The struts are introduced into the passageways and follow theinterior curvature of the intersection elements or some may simply abutthe inner wall of the intersection element opposite the point of entry.The intersection and strut elements are connected, ones to the others toform a spatial array or latticework formations of many and variedgeometric configurations. Each end may receive a plurality of struts.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDmm m4 3796004 Ill .I-IIIHCONSTRUCTION TOY FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generallyto construction toys and more particularly concerns the provision of aconstruction toy preferably provided in kit form comprising pluralpolygonal intersection elements and connecting flexible, resilient strutelements, the intersection elements being in the form of envelopes allhaving concavely curved edges, said intersections and struts adapted tointerconnect to form many and varied spatial or latticework formations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various systematic methods and means areencountered in the prior art for construction of spatial arrangements.Generally such systems involve the spanning of objects by variousconnective elements in lattice or framework arrangements generallyduplicative of well known building methods. Many of these systems areincorporated in games or toys directed toward providing enjoyment,training, relaxation and in some instances, providing therapeutic andeducational benefits to individuals and groups. Some of such systems aredirected toward use by children and many are sufficiently challenging toengage the attention of adults.

Of the well known construction toys, arrangements known as erector setsare familiar to the art and consist of miniaturized framework elementswith coupling means provided, along with members simulating beams, rigidstruts, angle lengths, links, etc., and nuts, bolts, screws, pulleys andthe like packaged unassembled with the variety of objects capable ofbeing constructed being many and varied. Also familiar are toy kits ofthe type including plural spherical elements and elongate thinrelatively rigid rod members. These are intended to be assembled by achild or other users. The spherical elements are solid and are providedwith a plurality of bores extending angularly inward toward theircenters from the outer surface of said elements, and at different anglesone relative to the others. The rigid rods fit into such bores, allarranged in a lattice type structure to form a variety of spatialarrangements.

Other construction toys encountered in the art include those providedwith simulated log-representative or brick representative units intendedto be arranged to form arrangements duplicative of known buildings, logcabins, houses, etc.

Of those known systems, all utilized intersections of straight lineswhich limit substantially the constructions capable of being created.All utilize rigid elements and some use rigid constructional curvatures.Use of some known construction systems for the creation of arrangementsof artistic merit is considerably limited since the resultantlatticework generally is regular, uniformly arranged and devoid of thevariety and spatial creative possibilities concomitant with preferredart materials. In addition, the variety of constructions capable ofbeing created using the systems heretofore available are limited not bythe creativity of the artist but by the straight-line arrangementspossible. Flexibility and creative possibilities are materially limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A construction toy comprising a plurality ofintersection elements and a plurality of flexible, resilient strutelements, said intersection elements formed as envelopes of polygonalconfiguration having curved edges and end portions, means coupling thestrut elements to the end portions of the intersection elements wherebysaid strut elements extend from said intersection ends betweenintersection elements along principal lines following the lines ofcurvature of the edges adjacent said respective end portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of theconstruction toy according to the invention assembled into one of manypossible spatial formations;

FIG. 2 is a perspective detail illustrating an intersection element andstrut of the system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 33 of FIG. 2and in the direction indicated;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of an intersection element and strutsof the system illustrated in FIG. 1, portions being broken away to showinterior detail;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of several modified embodiments of intersectionelements constructed according to the invention, differing in the numberof ends carried by each element;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of steps utilized in themanufacture of one of the intersection elements in the systemillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the construction system according to theinvention arranged in a spatial formation differing from the formationillustrated in FIG. 1 and utilizing more than one type of intersection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The construction system of theinvention is illustrated in FIG. 1 as employed to construct a spatialformation, said formation capable of being utilized as a hangingsculpture or mobile. The formation 10 is formed of a plurality ofintersection elements 20 and a plurality of flexible resilient elongatestrut elements 30 of small diameter coupled ones to the others. Theformation illustrated in FIG. 1 is formed using intersection elements 20having three end portions l2, l4 and 16 and defined by the intersectionsof three concavely curved edges 13, 15 and 17 and straight edges 18. Theillustrated elements 20 may be described as envelopes defined by a pairof planar thin plate members 22 and 24 having like concavely curvededges and superposed one on the other, their edges matched. As shown inFIG. 6, plates 22 and 24 are of plastic heat scalable material so thatmatching curved edges 13, 15 and 17 are heat sealed, at 26 joining theplates 22 and.24 one to the other. The peaked edges are severed, leavingopenings 28 defined therebetween at the respective remaining endportions.

Strut members generally indicated by 30 are formed as extruded plasticrod members preferably having tapered ends 34 to facilitate entry andpassage thereof through the openings 28 between plates 22 and 24 of theintersection elements 20. In the embodiment described herein three strutmembers 32 may be introduced into each opening 28 carried byintersection element 20. The opposite ends 34 of the struts 30 then maybe introduced into the respective selected openings 26 of each of threeadditional intersection elements 20. With three strut elements enteringeach opening 28 of intersection element 20, the end of one strut element32 bears against one of the curved sealed interior wall 36 of theenvelope at a location opposite to the point of entry of the strut 32.Another strut 32' is illustrated engaged within the envelope, arrangedbearing against the curved inner wall along an edge immediately adjacentthereto. A third strut 32 is illustrated just prior to entry into theenvelope. Strut 32", on entry into opening 26 of envelope 20 will bearagainst a curved inner wall along the edge adjacent its point of entry.In this manner, the struts 32 and 32" follow the line of curvature ofsaid respective edge when coupled to another envelope. When using anintersection element having three end portions, as many as nine strutelements can be employed, all radiating outward of the element 20. Eachof these struts can be coupled to other intersection elements 20 so asto con struct the spatial formation illustrated in FIG. 1 and manyothers.

In the formations thus formed, the resilience of the struts will directtheir ends to a stable disposition within the envelopes 20 along thecurved inner walls, except for those struts, like strut 32, occupying anintermediate position at the openings 28, as beween struts 32 and 32".

The planar plates 22 and 24 are spread apart, as shown in FIG. 3 onentry of'the end 34 of a strut element 30. Accordingly, there is africtional engagement of said strut with the walls of the envelope 20,serving also to stabilize the formation 20.

Preferably, a plurality of intersection elements 20 and a plurality ofstrut elements 30 are provided in kit form for use in creatingarrangements limited only by the number of elements and the creativeimagination of the user. Mobiles, kites, skeletons, and lamp framearrangements are only a few of the possible formations capable of beingcreated using the system according to the invention.

In FIG. 5, intersection elements other than the three sided envelope 20are illustrated and take the form of four sided element 40, six sidedelement 42 and eight sided element 44.

While the end portions of element 20 are blunt, that is defined bystraight edges 18, intersection elements may be formed having sharperend portions, perhaps to define openings to accommodate only one or twostrut elements. Various combinations of sharp and blunt ends may beutilized in the same intersection element. Other numbered side or edgeconfigurations are feasible. Also, greater side multiplicity can beprovided but may not be commercially required as most constructionalformations may be formed from combinations already illustrated.

The struts may be in the form of elongate relatively flat slats havingslots which may accommodate peaked or blunt ends of intersectionelements, while the intersection elements may also be provided with endopening slots for receiving flat elongate slat-like strut elements.While desirable, the material utilized need not be limited to plastic.Intersection elements of thin, flexible metal stock such as aluminum,steel, etc. may be used. The strut elements must have some degree offlexibility or resilience so that when connected to, and between pluralintersection elements, they can follow the lines of curvature concerned.

Referring to FIG. 6, the intersection elements 20 are formed by (A)cutting or stamping planar sections 22, 24 generally of triangularconfiguration from a thin sheet of plastic material, such as polyvinylor polystyrene. The curved edges of the sections 22, 24 are curvedinwardly, with the sides being of equal length and the same curvature. Apair of the planar sections then are positioned (B) superposed andengaged one on the other with the edges matched. The matched pair ofsections 22, 24 then are placed in position to heat seal the edges alongtheir length as shown at 26 thereby forming a single member (C). Thepeaks or apeces then are severed (D), leaving blunt end portions 18.Severing of said ends thereby provides openings 28 to the interior ofthe single member. These openings 28 are intended to receive the ends 34of the elongate rod members comprising struts 30.

Other methods of sealing, such as utilization of chemicals or solventsare feasible although it is believed that heat sealing is most suitablefor commercial production, and is more economical. There is enoughresilience inherent in the sections 22, 24 so that they spread slightlyto accommodate the rod ends and retain same therebetween frictionally sothat they are permitted to find their own resting area when stressed inassembly to other intersections. The seal is of sufi'icient strength asnot to fracture when the struts 30 are placed under tension, as occurswhen the struts and intersections are assembled to form the desiredspatial arrangement.

In FIG. 7, a different spatial formation has been constructed utilizinga plurality of intersection and strut elements. I-Iere, intersectionelements havingdifferent numbers of sides are combined. Envelopes 20having three struts 30 coupled to one end portion thereof while threesided envelopes 20 utilizes two of their three end portions, threestruts extending therefrom. Envelopes 40 each have a strut 30 coupled toeach of their four end portions.

What I claim is:

1. A construction toy comprising a plurality of intersection elementsand a plurality of flexible, resilient strut elements removablyinterconnected with said intersection elements to form curvedlatticework spatial formations, said intersection elements formed asenvelopes of polygonal configurations having concavely curved edges, andend portions joining said curved edges, said end portions being open andof such size as to frictionally retain one or. more strut elements,whereby said strut elements extend from said intersection end portionsbetween intersection elements along principal lines following the linesof curvature of the edges adjacent said respective end portion.

2. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 in which said strutelements are elongate plastic rods.

3. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 in which said intersectionelements have sides of equal length.

4. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some ofsaid intersection elements are threesided.

5. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sides of saidintersection elements have the same curvature.

6. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 in which the intersectionelements are formed as an envelope comprising a pair of like planarsheet members of polygonal configuration, one superposed on the otherments being formed of a pair of like planar sheet members superposed oneon the other with the curved sides thereof matching and sealed together,said intersection elements adapted to couple ones to the others bysecurement of said connecting elements therebetween with each of saidconnecting elements radiating outward of said intersection elements atthe junctions of said curved sides to define a selected spatial arrange-

1. A construction toy comprising a plurality of intersection elementsand a plurality of flexible, resilient strut elements removablyinterconnected with said intersection elements to form curvedlatticework spatial formations, said intersection elements formed asenvelopes of polygonal configurations having concavely curved edges, andend portions joining said curved edges, said end portions being open andof such size as to frictionally retain one or more strut elements,whereby said strut elements extend from said intersection end portionsbetween intersection elements along principal lines following the linesof curvature of the edges adjacent said respective end portion.
 2. Theconstruction toy as claimed in claim 1 in which said strut elements areelongate plastic rods.
 3. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 inwhich said intersection elements have sides of equal length.
 4. Theconstruction toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some of saidintersection elements are three-sided.
 5. The construction toy asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the sides of said intersection elements havethe same curvature.
 6. The construction toy as claimed in claim 1 inwhich the intersection elements are formed as an envelope comprising apair of like planar sheet members of polygonal configuration, onesuperposed on the other with the edges thereof matching and sealedtogether along their curved edges.
 7. The construction toy as claimed inclaim 6 in which said sheet members are spreadable at said open endportions to receive said strut ends.
 8. A construction toy comprising aplurality of intersection elements of polygonal configuration and aplurality of connecting elements, each of said intersection elementshaving concavely curved sides and open end portions joining said curvedsides, said intersection elements being formed of a pair of like planarsheet members superposed one on the other with the curved sides thereofmatching and sealed together, said intersection elements adapted tocouple ones to the others by securement of said connecting elementstherebetween with each of said connecting elements radiating outward ofsaid intersection elements at the junctions of said curved sides todefine a selected spatial arrangement.